Iraq wants FIFA to lift its ban on competitive home internationals, the country's sports minister has said.

The ban was imposed following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, but the Iraqi authorities hope that the hosting of Gulf football friendlies in renovated grounds will mean it can be lifted entirely.

The FIFA ban, which covered everything except local matches, was lifted in 2012 but reimposed after a match between Iraq and Jordan was hit by a power outage.

It has been relaxed to allow Iraq...

CHANGSHU -- The hopes of Malaysia making a positive start to the AFC U23 Championship in China suffered a serious blow in their opening game on Wednesday evening as Ong Kim Swee's side were on the wrong side of a 4-1 thrashing by a ruthless Iraq.

Safawi Rashid scored late in the game for the Southeast Asian side, but it was little more than a consolation.

Goals from Mohammed Jaffal, Amjed Attwan, Alaa Mwahi and Hussain Ali gave the nation from west Asia all three points in the Group C encounter.

With...

CHANGSHU -- Ong Kim Swee believes his Malaysia team can spring a surprise during the country's debut appearance at the AFC U23 Championship as they prepare to play former champions Iraq in China on Wednesday.

Malaysia face a potentially daunting task having been drawn to take on Saudi Arabia and Jordan as well as the Iraqis, and the step up in class is not lost on coach Ong as he readies his team to face the 2013 winners.

"We can't deny that Iraq is a very good team, based on their record in youth...

Despite being drawn in a tough Group C along with Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, Adam Nor Azlin believes Malaysia will be able to give a good account of themselves at this week's 2018 AFC Under-23 Championship in China.

The Malaysians will face 2013 champions Iraq in their opening match in Changshu on Wednesday.

Making their tournament debut, the Young Tigers surprisingly topped their qualification group, featuring hosts and fellow qualifiers Thailand, Indonesia and Mongolia last July.

"It's not...

Iraq Under-23 coach Abdul Ghani insists he is not underestimating Malaysia as his side prepare to take on the Young Tigers on Matchday One of the AFC U23 Championship in China.

Ong Kim Swee's Malaysia are certainly the underdogs, with Saudi Arabia and Jordan the other teams in Group C.

However, Ghani believes the fact that the Malaysians are there on merit ensures his side will face a tough task on Wednesday.

"We have done our homework on Malaysia," Ghani said, as reported in The New Straits Times....